Critic’s Week competition Jury
Salma Abu Deif BIO
Salma Abu Deif is an Egyptian actress who began her career in media and modeling before pursuing acting studies at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. She made her screen debut during the 2017 Ramadan season in the TV dramas Halawet El Donia and La Totfe’ El Shams, coinciding with her first film role in Sheikh Jackson, Egypt’s official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
She went on to appear in several acclaimed TV series, including Ladina Aqwal Okhra, Monataf Khatar, El Ekhteyar 3, and Suits in Arabic.
In 2023, Salma starred in her first leading film role in Anf wa Thalath Oyoun, followed by her first television lead in A’la Nesbet Moshahda (2024), which topped viewership charts and won multiple awards.
Alongside her acting career, Abu Deif is also a prominent fashion figure and social advocate, collaborating with UNICEF and global fashion houses.
Ely Dagher BIO
Ely Dagher is a Lebanese screenwriter and director based in Beirut. He gained international recognition at the Cannes Film Festival, where his debut feature The Sea Ahead (2021) premiered at the 53rd Directors’ Fortnight, and his short film Waves ’98 (2015) won the prestigious Palme d’Or in the official competition.
Ely’s artistic practice spans multiple mediums, creating layered works that blend film, painting, and installation art. Drawing from his upbringing, his work explores the relationships and possibilities that emerge through the interplay of cultures, histories, and fiction.
Claire Gadéa BIO
Claire Gadéa began her career as a producer 13 years ago with Philippe Lacôte’s first Franco-Ivorian feature film Run (Un Certain Regard Cannes 2014). She then joined MPM Film and, together with Marie-Pierre Macia, produced independent arthouse films from around the world, including Zama by Argentine director Lucrecia Martel (Venice 2017), Rafiki by Kenyan director Wanuri Kahiu (Un Certain Regard Cannes 2018), Ghosts by Turkish director Azra Deniz Okyay (Venice 2020 – Critics’ Week Best Award), Mariner of Mountains by Brazilian director Karim Aïnouz (Cannes 2021), Alam by Palestinian director Firas Khoury (Toronto 2022 – Cairo 2022 Golden Pyramid and Best Actor Award) and Nuestra Tierra by Lucrecia Martel (Venice 2025). In 2018, she founded MPM Premium with Jean-Charles Mille and Marie-Pierre Macia.
In 2025, she founded with Naomie Lagadec, Métonymie, a French film production company based in Brittany, where she develops French and international arthouse film projects.